Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce
A fiery stir-fry featuring tender beef strips tossed in a bold chili-garlic sauce that brings heat and depth to every bite. This asian-inspired beef ready in about 20 minutes pairs sirloin beef strips, vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz sirloin beef strips
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 fresh red chili, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 12 oz sirloin beef strips with 1 tsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 finely chopped fresh red chilies, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add the beef strips and sear for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: Stir together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 2 tbsp water. Pour the sauce into the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the beef.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and toss in 3 sliced green onions and 1 tsp sesame seeds for freshness and texture before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep sirloin beef strips from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spicy Stir-Fried Beef with Chili-Garlic Sauce?
Asian beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
